I am not interfering: Madonsela

Johannesburg - Public Protector Thuli Madonsela denied claims by the ANC in Parliament that she was interfering in the processes of the National Assembly, according to a newspaper report on Saturday.

Madonsela told the Citizen that ANC chief-whip Mathole Motshekga had it wrong in accusing her of interfering in the work of the legislature.

"I am not interfering, I am just doing my job, This is a huge misunderstanding and I hope we can sort this out," she was quoted as saying.

In a bid to prevent relations from worsening between her and the ANC in Parliament, Madonsela said she was prepared to meet with Motshekga to sort out matters, the report said.

She had recently written to the speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu, over her concerns with the controversial protection of information bill.

She expressed worry on why the public interest defence clause in the final draft of the bill had been left out.

The ANC charged that Madonsela should back off from legislative processes, saying she was "questioning and threatening to investigate the institution's legislative decisions".

Serious reservations

"Writing to the speaker expressing concern on the legislative process or decision is bizarre," said Mothsekga.

Madonsela on Friday refuted claims that she had threatened to investigate the protection of state information bill.

However, she confirmed that she had serious reservations about the draft law that critics across the political spectrum have vowed to challenge in the Constitutional Court, if passed in its current form.

In her letter sent to Sisulu last month, Madonsela stated that she had received numerous requests to probe the draft law, but did not believe it was within the mandate of her office to do so.

She could not see what harm such a defence would do, and believed that "the courts would, as customary elsewhere in the world, deal with this defence with circumspection".

The ANC insists that the inclusion of such a clause would undermine the whole bill, and that furthermore, it went against international best practice. This point is strongly disputed by legal experts.

Madonsela added that she was concerned that if it became law, the bill would hinder the work of her office.

Comments

kev47 - 2011-12-10 22:48

Keep it up, Ma'am. Be brave. You're doing a fine job.

Louis - 2011-12-11 08:59

Is this Mathole Motshekga and his anc clown getting nervouse or what?
Something to hide Mathole Motshekga? what is it?
Mathole Motshekga are you scared she might find something on you and your buddies?

John - 2011-12-10 22:50

Meanwhile the ANC Blue Light Brigade Strikes Again!
Friday, 09 of December, cars on the highway from Durban gave way to a political convoy with blue lights.
Remembering 1 man killed by the Blue Light Brigade in Durban, and another in Jo'burg, I protested those murders and raised my finger as they drove past.
They proceeded to block me and lunge their cars at me, as I swerved, slowed and pulled away. I held strong and steadfast in my protest!
My family, however, were badly shaken.
It is time that the ANC realizes that they are not above criticism and rejection, and also NOT ABOVE THE LAW!
I expected them to zap me back, or even lay misdemeanor charges against me.
But the public harassment and bullying shows that these mental's are in a mindset of their own.
They need to be banished to Antarctica!

Lynn - 2011-12-10 23:00

I agree send all The rapists and murderers to Antarctica. It has nothing it is bitterly cold and they would not survive a day. That would be the end all their worries and society would not have to look after them.

Riaan - 2011-12-10 23:04

I refused to give way to these cretins on Friday. Oh, what joy.
I hate them so much.

Juan - 2011-12-11 05:52

Wow John luckily you survived to tell the tale.

Had - 2011-12-11 08:20

Well done John. A man after my own heart. This also happens in other banana republics like Zimbabwe etc.

Rob - 2011-12-11 10:04

No, don't screw up Antartica, rather send them to Australia, they have experience!

Gollum - 2011-12-10 22:59

Sadly I expect she'll be replaced soon. Last thing the gov wants is a capable person who actually does their job in this watchdog position. While you're there Thuli, keep up the good work, if more followed her example SA would be a far better place.

Mabake - 2011-12-10 23:32

THIS WOMAN THINKS SHE IS NOW A PRESIDENT. ANC MUST REMIND HER THAT LEGISLATIVE PROCESSES BELONGS TO THE POLITICINS NOT ADMINISTRATOR. WELL DONE CDE MOTSEKGA.

Geronimo - 2011-12-10 23:54

You shouldn't see the Public Protector as a threat against your beloved party. You should rather see the Public Protector as a valuable tool of an open and transparent democratic society, meant to protect YOU. Wouldn't you rather know of any corruption within your own party or any other within parliament so that those that steal from your taxes and mine can be rooted out? If you disagree with this then you are a blind fool.

Neil - 2011-12-11 00:11

If you are reading the paper it would imply that you are interested in current affairs and possibly the direction your country is headed. By this lady sticking her neck out in this regard, she is not only committing political suicide but possibly placing her self in harms way too; all this to protect your right to know, your future and your freedom. You need to wake up, they want her silenced to protect their ongoing criminal activity. I can't understand how you can be so stupid to not be able to see this.
you owe her a debt of gratitude way beyond your comprehension, unfortunately she will be silenced by morons such as yourself way before you recognise this.
Idiot.

Neeus - 2011-12-11 05:15

You are a sheep... you will end up on the spit, your neck slit as a sacrifice to your own stupidity...Chop

Neeus - 2011-12-11 05:23

And you studied journalism!!!!!!!!!!!!!! God help us!!! If you have a degree from Rhodes and you are a free thinking example of what is coming out of the education system I shudder to my core. I can only assume that as you are a civil servant and not a journo, you did not get your degree and harbour bitter feelings... tosser

Neeus - 2011-12-11 06:21

Lenin is one of your heroes, you support Aljazeera and you are a commie, personally I think you are trying to cultivate this Ernesto "Che" Guevara thing to get yourself laid and don't understand the idiocy and impracticality that you portray. You portray confusion, or just radicalism and the desire to be a suicide bomber. You are a dreamer, anyone who believes that communism can work in real life must be, either that or you want something for nothing and are gambling that you will be in the top echelons of the commie party. You are not even a lamb chop, you are a pork chop... at first I thought you were ignorant, now I know you are just stupid. ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!

Yar - 2011-12-11 08:16

@Mabake
You are part of the problem. Stop listening to politicians and start to think.
Oh, and learn to spell before people start to think that you are stupid.

Had - 2011-12-11 08:22

Mabake - you are an idiot with blinkers.

Louis - 2011-12-11 09:03

Mabake your statement is so stupid it can only come from an anc brainwashed idiot like you.
you're not even an anc wanker, you're an anc fiddler

Rob - 2011-12-11 10:11

Are you trying to hide something, just like many of your ANC heroes, or are you simply mentally deprived?

Geronimo - 2011-12-10 23:48

The ANC are manoeuvring against Thuli... putting pressure on her... letting her know they are the boss man... they will stop at nothing to shut down anyone or anything that questions them, like any good dictator regime does.

leko.dada1 - 2011-12-11 03:15

Madontsela sounds like a DA agent...she must be fired!she claimed protecting public's intrests while serving noisy minority opposions,what about voters-Are they not majority to be respected through their vote? if they no longer happy with party they elected.Thuli dnt be confused by educated idiots who dnt respect democracy,labelling those who hold different views as un-educated and corrupt[dnt fall on racists traits and be used to blindly fight against democratic rules]

Lebza Dikgetsi - 2011-12-11 04:44

Cde leko even members of the ANC are opposed to the bill, this is formulated to protect the elite or maybe you are part of the elite. If can't protect public interest then what's the purpose of her office?

Neeus - 2011-12-11 05:18

Another lamb to the slaughter! what is the matter with you? blindly follow an organisation and leave out all the checks and balances that will allow the elite to rape and pillage? Think... Chop no 2 for this morning

Garth - 2011-12-11 07:02

`There are none so blind as those that will not see'.
By the processes that Ms. Madonsela is following, she is displaying a profound knowledge of the workings of a democratic parliament. She understands the mandate of her office! Unfortunately for her the ignorant anc is the majority party in this so-called democracy. leko, you are a pork sword of note, with a profound ignorance of anything democratic because you believe in and support an ineptocracy, the ignorant anc.

leko.dada1 - 2011-12-11 03:20

I jst expressed my opinion nt expecting to be correctd or insulted.NO NEED FOR LIKES AND DISLIKES.THESE ARE MY VIEWS.

Freddie Smit - 2011-12-11 04:20

@Leko: you sound like an agent of the devil.

Grant - 2011-12-11 04:34

@leko - sounds like you have no comprehension of what democracy means. If you don't like getting dislikes, then don't post! As much as you are entitled to your opinion on a matter, so is everybody else reading your post entitled to an opinion on what you have said. You sound very arrogant!

Neeus - 2011-12-11 07:32

Leko, Don't air your views if you expect people not to comment on them, especially if they are uneducated, narrow minded, ignorant AND stupid!Do you expect to say something and have us all accept it? That would be the same expectation of the government...

Yar - 2011-12-11 08:22

@leko
I know you just expressed your opinion. Your opinion sucks.
So do your literacy skills.

Rob - 2011-12-11 10:15

Leko, would you like to read my opinion, or will you find it threatening? Be careful how you answer (or not), you may show your true colours.

Russell - 2011-12-11 05:56

Dear ANC ... The title reads public protector ... Not ANC protector and both should serve the will of the people ....(alas most of the people are ignorant ... But hey)

Vegi - 2011-12-11 06:45

I like Madonsela and I was impressed when she addressed our gathering. However, I find her latest adventures regarding the Information bill irritating. To me she seems to be pushing the agenda of defeated minorities who are bent on hijacking state institutions like Scorpions/Hawks/SAPS, NPA, Constitutional Court, etc for their nefarious ends and in order to arrest progress towards a modern society.
She needs to distance herself completely from the mischievous minorities if she wants her office to retain any credibility/dignity.

africanwolf - 2011-12-11 07:16

In other words let us steal, and no one must know about it.
just like in any other modern dictatorship.

Comrade - 2011-12-11 07:17

Vegi (Veggie) whats with "defeated minorities", when were the Indians and Chinese defeated ? and also, when did politics become a game of black vs white rather than moral and public interest...you really are pathetic

Neeus - 2011-12-11 07:18

when you say mischievous minorities, do you mean minorities like the IFP? or the ACDP or as in colour? When you say defeated minorities is it the same,or are you talking colour or as in the Nats? Your argument is strong especially considering a slow but sure swing to a more representative party, one that is representative of the people and their needs, not their colour... The wheel will turn.

Yar - 2011-12-11 08:24

@Vegi
Who are you, and where have you hidden the real Veg?

Vegi - 2011-12-11 08:36

Neeus
I mean the likes of DA, Cope, CP, ACDP, IFP and other individuals who want to drag this country backwards.
Where does the Protection of Information Bill say that it will be unlawful to report crimes like fraud, corruption, etc.
Please don't be ridiculous.

Garth - 2011-12-11 10:24

`defeated minorities', `mischievous minorities', Malema is that you?
`She needs to distance herself . . . to retain any credibility/dignity.' You one-eyed fool, she is the Public Protector! Get a dictionary a look up the word `public'. She gains immediate credibility merely by investigating the arrogant, ignorant ineptocracy that you so blindly support.
I say it again: `There are none so hypocritical as the useless anc and its ignorant supporters.'

Vegi - 2011-12-11 06:59

@John
Are you aware that your actions are not only unpatriotic but also seditious. You must be very grateful that South Africa is a democracy with strong human rights credentials. In other countries anyone blocking State Processions like you did might be shot on sight.

Neeus - 2011-12-11 07:35

Spoken like a true Nazi!!! That is why we live in a democracy, so that we can say this and people cannot get away with running others off the road. Blue light convoys are not state processions they are ignorant idiots who think that they are on the animal farm, a bit more equall than others..

pat.bayley - 2011-12-11 07:49

@Vegi
Surely your last sentence contradicts your second!

Yar - 2011-12-11 08:34

@Vegi
At last you are back. I far prefer this Veg with the blind pro ANC views.
John and the rest of us are citizens and taxpayers in this country. We are patriotic and law abiding.
1 Getting bullied by civil servants with blue lights in overpriced, ego-boosting vehicles paid for by taxpayers is anti-democratic in the extreme.
2 There excuse is always that they are late for important meetings. The truth is that they just can't plan or schedule properly.
3 Threatening John with sedition and being shot really stinks of dictatorship.
Veg - I believe you to be a complete idiot.

Vegi - 2011-12-11 07:02

John, I would also like you know if you also failed to give way to apartheid convoys or you are taking advantage of this enlightened goverment.

Neeus - 2011-12-11 07:20

chop no 3 for this morning... sorry or are you just a carrot?

Neeus - 2011-12-11 07:37

I grew up in apartheid SA, I never saw 1 convoy. I might have been a bit young and not done the amount of travelling I do now but it was never in the headlines the way it is now (for the accidents not the complaint)

Sandra - 2011-12-11 07:51

The apartheid government officials didn't travel in conspicuous convoys. They certainly didn't want to make it obvious which cars their evil officials were in.

Yar - 2011-12-11 08:37

Vegi - I have to agree with Neeus.
I also never saw a blue light in those days.
Stop lying, or are the voices inside your head providing you with "facts".

Garth - 2011-12-11 09:03

vegi? Your nom de plume is `vegi'? Short for . . . vegetation growing inside your skull? Or, uses a Vegematic to cut his hair? Maybe you overdosed on Vegimite and speak with a funny accent?
Fact - no blue light ar$eholes during apartheid.
Fact - the only thing en-lightening about your government is what they are doing to the tax payers wallet.

Comrade - 2011-12-11 07:19

DO YOU GET THE MESSAGE cANCer!!!! THE BILL IS WRONG

Roy - 2011-12-11 08:01

Ms Madonsela you are doing the type of job that the ANC government should have been doing a long time ago but due to their greed,corrupt officials and looking after their own pockets,they find fault in your honest work.
You ma'am are a blessing to the country and one can only congratulate you on what you are exposing in this country and hope you carry on until the President of the country decides that you are opening to much dis honesty in the government.

Larry - 2011-12-11 08:30

Stick with it Thuli, dont let these greedy Bas***ds wear you down.

malcolm - 2011-12-11 08:34

John, I wish I could meet you. I do the exact same thing with blue light convoys, and have even overtaken some of them in my over zealous protests of them. I once was shot at by them on the way back from transkei with automatic rifles. Just warning shots across the front of my car, but still annoying. Also had a rather shaken wife. I hate them with a passion. They are savage neanderthals.

Mabel - 2011-12-11 09:13

Don't stop doing your job Ms. Madonsela. We need courageous South Africans who are not afraid to tell others when they are breaking the law.

jwdupreez - 2011-12-11 09:46

Go for it Thuli....you are on the right track.....he (Motshetga and clansmen)......are very scared that you will locate the "itching area" .....keep on scratching!!!

James - 2011-12-11 09:50

Well done Thuli , keep it up !!

Cheryl - 2011-12-11 10:53

Dont let them stop you doing your job ....the better you do it, the mor e they will attack you. Perhaps one day the government will even serve the public , as well as you do. Root out the ANC criminals...

sb.prins1 - 2011-12-12 07:46

Well one day the ANC will not run the country and some other political party will. The corruption and blatant disregard for SA law will come out an dI bet you that all these ANC robbers and thiefs in government will be called to account for their actions.
Commissions will be set up and the extent of this corruption will come out and they will suffer the wrath of the South African people, this I believe strongly. People are not stupid to vote ANC forever, ANC keep on doing what you doing, you are winning my case fore me. Sarcastically VIVA ANC, VIVA :)